BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 677
86R5445 BEF-F	By: Hall
	Agriculture
	3/6/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Intrastate permits required to transport bees across county lines were instituted in 1983 to prevent the spread of diseases and Africanized bees in Texas hives. Inspection of hives, intrastate permit administration, and apiary research is conducted through the Texas A&M AgriLife Research division.

In spite of these requirements, Africanized bees have taken residence in Texas and  several diseases have additionally infected Texas hives. The intrastate permits were not effective in fulfilling their original purpose. Wild bees routinely travel across county lines without permits.

In fiscal year 2017-2018, seventy-five intrastate permits were issued in Texas for county-to-county transport of bees. Additionally, 241 intrastate permits were issued specifically for Bee Removal Transportation purposes.

SB 677 would repeal the section of the Agriculture code that requires intrastate permits for anyone who transports bees across county lines. SB 677 would ease the burden of regulations on apiary businesses. This bill would make government smaller by eliminating a permit that no longer serves its purpose.

As proposed, S.B. 677 amends current law relating to repeal of the permit requirement for intrastate shipment of bees.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 131.121(a), Agriculture Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person:

(1)�(2) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions;

(3) ships or causes bees or equipment to be shipped into this state, rather than into this state or between counties in this state, without the permit required by Section 131.041 (Permit for Importation), rather than Sections 131.041 or 131.043 (Permits for Intrastate Shipment) of this chapter;

(4)�(10) makes no changes to these subdivisions.

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 131.043 (Permits for Intrastate Shipment), Agriculture Code.

SECTION 3. �Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.� Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.